Best Caesar Salad Recipe EVER!

I love this recipe for Caesar salad and get raves from people everytime I make it. It is from the Signature Salads cookbook by Debi Shawcross which has the best salad recipes.

Enjoy!



Caesar Salad with Parmesan Croutons

Dressing;
3/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese grated
1 2 oz package anchovies, drained (or 2 tsp's anchovy paste)
3 medium garlic cloves minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp salt

Combine first 6 ingredients in bowl of food processor. Blend until smooth. With processor running, slowly add olive oil. Mix until just blended. Refrigerate until ready to use. (may be made 4 days in advance.

Croutons:
1 baguette sliced into 1/2 inch peices
1 1/2 cups salted butter
1 clove garlic
1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp dried sage leaves
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/3 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese finely grated

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place butter in a large microwave safe bowl and microwave for about 1 minute or until melted. Add garlic, dry seasonings and cheese to bowl. Add baguette and toss well. Spread croutons onto a large baking sheet and bake 15 minutes or until well browned. Allow croutons to cool. (may be made one day ahead and stored in an air tight container).

Salad:
8 cups thinly sliced hearts of romaine lettuce
3/4 cup parmigianno-reggiano cheese finely grated

Place romaine and croutons in a large bowl. Add dressing a little at a time and toss well to combine until salad is well coated. (you will use about 1/2 of the dressing and crouptons in one recipe). Arrange salad on plates and garnish with a sprinking of cheese and freshly ground pepper.